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Act 4, Scene 1 — Before Prospero’s cell.
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The argument Prospero blesses the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda with a spirit masque; the masque dissolves when he remembers Caliban's plot; he delivers 'Our revels now are ended' and prepares the spirit hounds to punish the conspirators.
Enter Prospero, Ferdinand and Miranda.
PROSPERO ≋ verse

If I have too austerely punish’d you,

Your compensation makes amends: for I

Have given you here a third of mine own life,

Or that for which I live; who once again

I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations

Were but my trials of thy love, and thou

Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven,

I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,

Do not smile at me that I boast her off,

For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,

And make it halt behind her.

If I have too austerely punish’d you, Your compensation makes amends: for I Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to your hand: all your vexations Were but my trials of your love, and you Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven, I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand, Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For you shalt find she will outstrip all praise, And make it halt behind her.

If I have too austerely punish’d you, Your compensation makes amends: for I Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to your hand: all your vexations Were but my trials of your love, and you Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven, I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand, Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For you shalt find she will outstrip all praise, And make it halt behind her.

if i have too austerely punish’d you, your compensation makes amends: for i have given you here a third of mine own life

FERDINAND ≋ verse

I do believe it

Against an oracle.

I do believe it Against an oracle.

I do believe it Against an oracle.

i do believe it against an oracle.

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Then, as my gift and thine own acquisition

Worthily purchas’d, take my daughter: but

If thou dost break her virgin knot before

All sanctimonious ceremonies may

With full and holy rite be minister’d,

No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall

To make this contract grow; but barren hate,

Sour-ey’d disdain, and discord shall bestrew

The union of your bed with weeds so loathly

That you shall hate it both: therefore take heed,

As Hymen’s lamps shall light you.

Then, as my gift and yours own acquisition Worthily purchas’d, take my daughter: but If you dost break her virgin knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rite be minister’d, No sweet aspersion will the heavens let fall To make this contract grow; but barren hate, Sour-ey’d disdain, and discord will bestrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly That you will hate it both: therefore take heed, As Hymen’s lamps will light you.

Then, as my gift and yours own acquisition Worthily purchas’d, take my daughter: but If you dost break her virgin knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rite be minister’d, No sweet aspersion will the heavens let fall To make this contract grow; but barren hate, Sour-ey’d disdain, and discord will bestrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly That you will hate it both: therefore take heed, As Hymen’s lamps will light you.

then, as my gift and thine own acquisition worthily purchas’d, take my daughter: but if thou dost break her virgin knot

FERDINAND ≋ verse

As I hope

For quiet days, fair issue, and long life,

With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den,

The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestion

Our worser genius can, shall never melt

Mine honour into lust, to take away

The edge of that day’s celebration,

When I shall think, or Phoebus’ steeds are founder’d,

Or Night kept chain’d below.

As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestion Our worser genius can, will never melt Mine honour into lust, to take away The edge of that day’s celebration, When I will think, or Phoebus’ steeds are founder’d, Or Night kept chain’d below.

As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestion Our worser genius can, will never melt Mine honour into lust, to take away The edge of that day’s celebration, When I will think, or Phoebus’ steeds are founder’d, Or Night kept chain’d below.

as i hope for quiet days, fair issue, and long life, with such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den, the most opportune pl

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Fairly spoke:

Sit, then, and talk with her, she is thine own.

What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!

Fairly spoke: Sit, then, and talk with her, she is yours own. What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!

Fairly spoke: Sit, then, and talk with her, she is yours own. What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!

fairly spoke: sit, then, and talk with her, she is thine own. what, ariel! my industrious servant, ariel!

Enter Ariel.
ARIEL

What would my potent master? here I am.

What would my potent master? here I am.

What would my potent master? here I am.

what would my potent master? here i am.

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service

Did worthily perform; and I must use you

In such another trick. Go bring the rabble,

O’er whom I give thee power, here to this place.

Incite them to quick motion; for I must

Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple

Some vanity of mine art: it is my promise,

And they expect it from me.

you and your meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick. Go bring the rabble, O’er whom I give you power, here to this place. Incite them to quick motion; for I must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple Some vanity of mine are: it is my promise, And they expect it from me.

you and your meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick. Go bring the rabble, O’er whom I give you power, here to this place. Incite them to quick motion; for I must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple Some vanity of mine are: it is my promise, And they expect it from me.

thou and thy meaner fellows your last service did worthily perform; and i must use you in such another trick. go bring t

ARIEL

Presently?

Presently?

Presently?

presently?

PROSPERO

Ay, with a twink.

Ay, with a twink.

Ay, with a twink.

ay, with a twink.

ARIEL ≋ verse

Before you can say “Come” and “Go,”

And breathe twice, and cry “so, so,”

Each one, tripping on his toe,

Will be here with mop and mow.

Do you love me, master? no?

Before you can say “Come” and “Go,” And breathe twice, and cry “so, so,” Each one, tripping on his toe, Will be here with mop and mow. Do you love me, master? no?

Before you can say “Come” and “Go,” And breathe twice, and cry “so, so,” Each one, tripping on his toe, Will be here with mop and mow. Do you love me, master? no?

before you can say “come” and “go,” and breathe twice, and cry “so, so,” each one, tripping on his toe, will be here wit

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach

Till thou dost hear me call.

Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach Till you dost hear me call.

Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach Till you dost hear me call.

dearly, my delicate ariel. do not approach till thou dost hear me call.

ARIEL

Well, I conceive.

Well, I conceive.

Well, I conceive.

well, i conceive.

[_Exit._]
PROSPERO ≋ verse

Look thou be true; do not give dalliance

Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw

To th’ fire i’ the blood: be more abstemious,

Or else good night your vow!

Look you be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw To th’ fire i’ the blood: be more abstemious, Or else good night your vow!

Look you be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw To th’ fire i’ the blood: be more abstemious, Or else good night your vow!

look thou be true; do not give dalliance too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw to th’ fire i’ the blood: be m

FERDINAND ≋ verse

I warrant you, sir;

The white cold virgin snow upon my heart

Abates the ardour of my liver.

I warrant you, sir; The white cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver.

I warrant you, sir; The white cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver.

i warrant you, sir; the white cold virgin snow upon my heart abates the ardour of my liver.

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Well.

Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,

Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly.

No tongue! all eyes! be silent.

Well. Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly. No tongue! all eyes! be silent.

Well. Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly. No tongue! all eyes! be silent.

well. now come, my ariel! bring a corollary, rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly. no tongue! all eyes! be sile

[_Soft music._]
A Masque. Enter Iris.
IRIS ≋ verse

Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas

Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas;

Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,

And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;

Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims,

Which spongy April at thy hest betrims,

To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves,

Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,

Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard;

And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,

Where thou thyself dost air: the Queen o’ th’ sky,

Whose wat’ry arch and messenger am I,

Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace,

Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,

To come and sport; her peacocks fly amain:

Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

Ceres, most bounteous lady, your rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas; your turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep; your banks with pioned and twilled brims, Which spongy April at your hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and your broom groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Being lass-lorn; your pole-clipt vineyard; And your sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard, Where you thyself dost air: the Queen o’ th’ sky, Whose wat’ry arch and messenger am I, Bids you leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport; her peacocks fly amain: Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

Ceres, most bounteous lady, your rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas; your turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep; your banks with pioned and twilled brims, Which spongy April at your hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and your broom groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Being lass-lorn; your pole-clipt vineyard; And your sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard, Where you thyself dost air: the Queen o’ th’ sky, Whose wat’ry arch and messenger am I, Bids you leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport; her peacocks fly amain: Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas; thy turfy mountains, where liv

Enter Ceres.
CERES ≋ verse

Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’er

Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;

Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers

Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers;

And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown

My bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,

Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queen

Summon’d me hither to this short-grass’d green?

Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; Who with your saffron wings upon my flowers Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers; And with each end of your blue bow dost crown My bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down, Rich scarf to my proud earth; why has your queen Summon’d me here to this short-grass’d green?

Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; Who with your saffron wings upon my flowers Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers; And with each end of your blue bow dost crown My bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down, Rich scarf to my proud earth; why has your queen Summon’d me here to this short-grass’d green?

hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’er dost disobey the wife of jupiter; who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers d

IRIS ≋ verse

A contract of true love to celebrate,

And some donation freely to estate

On the blest lovers.

A contract of true love to celebrate, And some donation freely to estate On the blest lovers.

A contract of true love to celebrate, And some donation freely to estate On the blest lovers.

a contract of true love to celebrate, and some donation freely to estate on the blest lovers.

CERES ≋ verse

Tell me, heavenly bow,

If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,

Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot

The means that dusky Dis my daughter got,

Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d company

I have forsworn.

Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus or her son, as you dost know, Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot The means that dusky Dis my daughter got, Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d company I have forsworn.

Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus or her son, as you dost know, Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot The means that dusky Dis my daughter got, Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d company I have forsworn.

tell me, heavenly bow, if venus or her son, as thou dost know, do now attend the queen? since they did plot the means th

IRIS ≋ verse

Of her society

Be not afraid. I met her deity

Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son

Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done

Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,

Whose vows are, that no bed-right shall be paid

Till Hymen’s torch be lighted; but in vain.

Mars’s hot minion is return’d again;

Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,

Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,

And be a boy right out.

Of her society Be not afraid. I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are, that no bed-right will be paid Till Hymen’s torch be lighted; but in vain. Mars’s hot minion is return’d again; Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out.

Of her society Be not afraid. I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are, that no bed-right will be paid Till Hymen’s torch be lighted; but in vain. Mars’s hot minion is return’d again; Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out.

of her society be not afraid. i met her deity cutting the clouds towards paphos, and her son dove-drawn with her. here t

CERES ≋ verse

Highest queen of State,

Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.

Highest queen of State, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.

Highest queen of State, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.

highest queen of state, great juno comes; i know her by her gait.

Enter Juno.
JUNO ≋ verse

How does my bounteous sister? Go with me

To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,

And honour’d in their issue.

How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour’d in their issue.

How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour’d in their issue.

how does my bounteous sister? go with me to bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, and honour’d in their issue.

[_They sing._]
JUNO ≋ verse

_Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,

Long continuance, and increasing,

Hourly joys be still upon you!

Juno sings her blessings on you._

_Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Long continuance, and increasing, Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you._

_Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Long continuance, and increasing, Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you._

_honour, riches, marriage-blessing, long continuance, and increasing, hourly joys be still upon you! juno sings her bles

CERES ≋ verse

_Earth’s increase, foison plenty,

Barns and garners never empty;

Vines with clust’ring bunches growing;

Plants with goodly burden bowing;

Spring come to you at the farthest

In the very end of harvest!

Scarcity and want shall shun you;

Ceres’ blessing so is on you._

_Earth’s increase, foison plenty, Barns and garners never empty; Vines with clust’ring bunches growing; Plants with goodly burden bowing; Spring come to you at the farthest In the very end of harvest! Scarcity and want will shun you; Ceres’ blessing so is on you._

_Earth’s increase, foison plenty, Barns and garners never empty; Vines with clust’ring bunches growing; Plants with goodly burden bowing; Spring come to you at the farthest In the very end of harvest! Scarcity and want will shun you; Ceres’ blessing so is on you._

_earth’s increase, foison plenty, barns and garners never empty; vines with clust’ring bunches growing; plants with good

FERDINAND ≋ verse

This is a most majestic vision, and

Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold

To think these spirits?

This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold To think these spirits?

This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold To think these spirits?

this is a most majestic vision, and harmonious charmingly. may i be bold to think these spirits?

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Spirits, which by mine art

I have from their confines call’d to enact

My present fancies.

Spirits, which by mine are I have from their confines call’d to enact My present fancies.

Spirits, which by mine are I have from their confines call’d to enact My present fancies.

spirits, which by mine art i have from their confines call’d to enact my present fancies.

FERDINAND ≋ verse

Let me live here ever.

So rare a wonder’d father and a wise,

Makes this place Paradise.

Let me live here ever. So rare a wonder’d father and a wise, Makes this place Paradise.

Let me live here ever. So rare a wonder’d father and a wise, Makes this place Paradise.

let me live here ever. so rare a wonder’d father and a wise, makes this place paradise.

[_Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment._]
PROSPERO ≋ verse

Sweet now, silence!

Juno and Ceres whisper seriously,

There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute,

Or else our spell is marr’d.

Sweet now, silence! Juno and Ceres whisper seriously, There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr’d.

Sweet now, silence! Juno and Ceres whisper seriously, There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr’d.

sweet now, silence! juno and ceres whisper seriously, there’s something else to do: hush, and be mute, or else our spell

IRIS ≋ verse

You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of the windring brooks,

With your sedg’d crowns and ever-harmless looks,

Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land

Answer your summons; Juno does command.

Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate

A contract of true love. Be not too late.

You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of the windring brooks, With your sedg’d crowns and ever-harmless looks, Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land Answer your summons; Juno does command. Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate A contract of true love. Be not too late.

You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of the windring brooks, With your sedg’d crowns and ever-harmless looks, Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land Answer your summons; Juno does command. Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate A contract of true love. Be not too late.

you nymphs, call’d naiads, of the windring brooks, with your sedg’d crowns and ever-harmless looks, leave your crisp cha

Enter certain Nymphs.
You sun-burn’d sicklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:
Make holiday: your rye-straw hats put on,
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.
Enter certain Reapers, properly habited: they join with the Nymphs in
a graceful dance; towards the end whereof Prospero starts suddenly,
and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise,
they heavily vanish.
[_Aside._] I had forgot that foul conspiracy
PROSPERO ≋ verse

Of the beast Caliban and his confederates

Against my life: the minute of their plot

Is almost come. [_To the Spirits._] Well done! avoid; no

more!

Of the beast Caliban and his confederates Against my life: the minute of their plot Is almost come. [_To the Spirits._] Well done! avoid; no more!

Of the beast Caliban and his confederates Against my life: the minute of their plot Is almost come. [_To the Spirits._] Well done! avoid; no more!

of the beast caliban and his confederates against my life: the minute of their plot is almost come. [_to the spirits._]

FERDINAND ≋ verse

This is strange: your father’s in some passion

That works him strongly.

This is strange: your father’s in some passion That works him strongly.

This is strange: your father’s in some passion That works him strongly.

this is strange: your father’s in some passion that works him strongly.

MIRANDA ≋ verse

Never till this day

Saw I him touch’d with anger so distemper’d.

Never till this day Saw I him touch’d with anger so distemper’d.

Never till this day Saw I him touch’d with anger so distemper’d.

never till this day saw i him touch’d with anger so distemper’d.

PROSPERO ≋ verse

You do look, my son, in a mov’d sort,

As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir:

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,

As I foretold you, were all spirits and

Are melted into air, into thin air:

And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,

The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,

The solemn temples, the great globe itself,

Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,

And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,

Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff

As dreams are made on, and our little life

Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d:

Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled.

Be not disturb’d with my infirmity.

If you be pleas’d, retire into my cell

And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk,

To still my beating mind.

You do look, my son, in a mov’d sort, As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir: Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, will dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d: Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled. Be not disturb’d with my infirmity. If you be pleas’d, retire into my cell And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk, To still my beating mind.

You do look, my son, in a mov’d sort, As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir: Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, will dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d: Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled. Be not disturb’d with my infirmity. If you be pleas’d, retire into my cell And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk, To still my beating mind.

you do look, my son, in a mov’d sort, as if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir: our revels now are ended. these our act

"We are such stuff As dreams are made on" The most famous line in The Tempest. 'Made on' not 'made of' — the distinction matters: we are the material from which dreams are constructed, not just dreaming creatures. The grammatical oddness has been much analyzed.
"our little life Is rounded with a sleep" 'Rounded' means both 'completed' and 'encircled' — life is a small, brief thing surrounded by sleep on both sides: the sleep before birth and the sleep of death.
Why it matters 'Our revels now are ended' and 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on' — the most quoted lines in The Tempest, arriving unexpectedly as Prospero interrupts his own celebration. This is where the play's great theme of impermanence is stated in full: art, life, civilization itself will dissolve like a masque.
FERDINAND, MIRANDA

We wish your peace.

We wish your peace.

We wish your peace.

we wish your peace.

[_Exeunt._]
PROSPERO

Come, with a thought. I thank thee, Ariel. Come!

Come, with a thought. I thank you, Ariel. Come!

Come, with a thought. I thank you, Ariel. Come!

come, with a thought. i thank thee, ariel. come!

Enter Ariel.
ARIEL

Thy thoughts I cleave to. What’s thy pleasure?

your thoughts I cleave to. What’s your pleasure?

your thoughts I cleave to. What’s your pleasure?

thy thoughts i cleave to. what’s thy pleasure?

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Spirit,

We must prepare to meet with Caliban.

Spirit, We must prepare to meet with Caliban.

Spirit, We must prepare to meet with Caliban.

spirit, we must prepare to meet with caliban.

ARIEL ≋ verse

Ay, my commander. When I presented Ceres,

I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear’d

Lest I might anger thee.

Ay, my commander. When I presented Ceres, I thought to have told you of it; but I fear’d Lest I might anger you.

Ay, my commander. When I presented Ceres, I thought to have told you of it; but I fear’d Lest I might anger you.

ay, my commander. when i presented ceres, i thought to have told thee of it; but i fear’d lest i might anger thee.

PROSPERO

Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?

Say again, where didst you leave these varlets?

Say again, where didst you leave these varlets?

say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?

ARIEL ≋ verse

I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking;

So full of valour that they smote the air

For breathing in their faces; beat the ground

For kissing of their feet; yet always bending

Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor;

At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears,

Advanc’d their eyelids, lifted up their noses

As they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears,

That calf-like they my lowing follow’d through

Tooth’d briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns,

Which enter’d their frail shins: at last I left them

I’ th’ filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell,

There dancing up to th’ chins, that the foul lake

O’erstunk their feet.

I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; So full of valour that they smote the air For breathing in their faces; beat the ground For kissing of their feet; yet always bending Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor; At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears, Advanc’d their eyelids, lifted up their noses As they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears, That calf-like they my lowing follow’d through Tooth’d briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns, Which enter’d their frail shins: at last I left them I’ th’ filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell, There dancing up to th’ chins, that the foul lake O’erstunk their feet.

I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; So full of valour that they smote the air For breathing in their faces; beat the ground For kissing of their feet; yet always bending Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor; At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears, Advanc’d their eyelids, lifted up their noses As they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears, That calf-like they my lowing follow’d through Tooth’d briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns, Which enter’d their frail shins: at last I left them I’ th’ filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell, There dancing up to th’ chins, that the foul lake O’erstunk their feet.

i told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; so full of valour that they smote the air for breathing in their faces

PROSPERO ≋ verse

This was well done, my bird.

Thy shape invisible retain thou still:

The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither

For stale to catch these thieves.

This was well done, my bird. your shape invisible retain you still: The trumpery in my house, go bring it here For stale to catch these thieves.

This was well done, my bird. your shape invisible retain you still: The trumpery in my house, go bring it here For stale to catch these thieves.

this was well done, my bird. thy shape invisible retain thou still: the trumpery in my house, go bring it hither for sta

ARIEL

I go, I go.

I go, I go.

I go, I go.

i go, i go.

[_Exit._]
PROSPERO ≋ verse

A devil, a born devil, on whose nature

Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains,

Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost;

And as with age his body uglier grows,

So his mind cankers. I will plague them all,

Even to roaring.

A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains, Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost; And as with age his body uglier grows, So his mind cankers. I will plague them all, Even to roaring.

A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains, Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost; And as with age his body uglier grows, So his mind cankers. I will plague them all, Even to roaring.

a devil, a born devil, on whose nature nurture can never stick; on whom my pains, humanely taken, all, all lost, quite l

Re-enter Ariel, loaden with glistering apparel, &c.
Come, hang them on this line.
Prospero and Ariel remain invisible. Enter Caliban, Stephano and
Trinculo all wet.
CALIBAN ≋ verse

Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not

Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.

Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.

Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.

pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.

STEPHANO

Monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little

better than played the Jack with us.

Monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack with us.

Monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack with us.

monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the jack with us.

TRINCULO

Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great

indignation.

Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation.

Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation.

monster, i do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation.

STEPHANO

So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure

against you, look you,—

So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you, look you,—

So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you, look you,—

so is mine. do you hear, monster? if i should take a displeasure against you, look you,—

TRINCULO

Thou wert but a lost monster.

you were but a lost monster.

you were but a lost monster.

thou wert but a lost monster.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Good my lord, give me thy favour still.

Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring thee to

Shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly.

All’s hush’d as midnight yet.

Good my lord, give me your favour still. Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring you to will hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly. All’s hush’d as midnight yet.

Good my lord, give me your favour still. Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring you to will hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly. All’s hush’d as midnight yet.

good my lord, give me thy favour still. be patient, for the prize i’ll bring thee to shall hoodwink this mischance: ther

TRINCULO

Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!

Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!

Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!

ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!

STEPHANO

There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an

infinite loss.

There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.

There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.

there is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.

TRINCULO

That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy,

monster.

That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.

That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.

that’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.

STEPHANO

I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.

I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.

I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.

i will fetch off my bottle, though i be o’er ears for my labour.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Prithee, my King, be quiet. Seest thou here,

This is the mouth o’ th’ cell: no noise, and enter.

Do that good mischief which may make this island

Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban,

For aye thy foot-licker.

please, my King, be quiet. Seest you here, This is the mouth o’ th’ cell: no noise, and enter. Do that good mischief which may make this island yours own for ever, and I, your Caliban, For aye your foot-licker.

come on, my King, be quiet. Seest you here, This is the mouth o’ th’ cell: no noise, and enter. Do that good mischief which may make this island yours own for ever, and I, your Caliban, For aye your foot-licker.

prithee, my king, be quiet. seest thou here, this is the mouth o’ th’ cell: no noise, and enter. do that good mischief w

STEPHANO

Give me thy hand. I do begin to have bloody thoughts.

Give me your hand. I do begin to have bloody thoughts.

Give me your hand. I do begin to have bloody thoughts.

give me thy hand. i do begin to have bloody thoughts.

TRINCULO ≋ verse

O King Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stephano!

Look what a wardrobe here is for thee!

O King Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stephano! Look what a wardrobe here is for you!

O King Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stephano! Look what a wardrobe here is for you!

o king stephano! o peer! o worthy stephano! look what a wardrobe here is for thee!

🎭 Dramatic irony Trinculo has walked straight into Ariel's trap — the glittering clothes were left precisely to distract the conspirators from their murder mission. The audience can see the mechanism working as the plotters fall for it.
CALIBAN

Let it alone, thou fool; it is but trash.

Let it alone, you fool; it is but trash.

Let it alone, you fool; it is but trash.

let it alone, thou fool; it is but trash.

TRINCULO

O, ho, monster! we know what belongs to a frippery. O King Stephano!

O, ho, monster! we know what belongs to a frippery. O King Stephano!

O, ho, monster! we know what belongs to a frippery. O King Stephano!

o, ho, monster! we know what belongs to a frippery. o king stephano!

STEPHANO

Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I’ll have that gown.

Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I’ll have that gown.

Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I’ll have that gown.

put off that gown, trinculo; by this hand, i’ll have that gown.

TRINCULO

Thy Grace shall have it.

your Grace will have it.

your Grace will have it.

thy grace shall have it.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean

To dote thus on such luggage? Let’t alone,

And do the murder first. If he awake,

From toe to crown he’ll fill our skins with pinches,

Make us strange stuff.

The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean To dote thus on such luggage? Let’t alone, And do the murder first. If he awake, From toe to crown he’ll fill our skins with pinches, Make us strange stuff.

The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean To dote thus on such luggage? Let’t alone, And do the murder first. If he awake, From toe to crown he’ll fill our skins with pinches, Make us strange stuff.

the dropsy drown this fool! what do you mean to dote thus on such luggage? let’t alone, and do the murder first. if he a

STEPHANO

Be you quiet, monster. Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is the

jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and

prove a bald jerkin.

Be you quiet, monster. Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald jerkin.

Be you quiet, monster. Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald jerkin.

be you quiet, monster. mistress line, is not this my jerkin? now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like

TRINCULO

Do, do: we steal by line and level, an’t like your Grace.

Do, do: we steal by line and level, an’t like your Grace.

Do, do: we steal by line and level, an’t like your Grace.

do, do: we steal by line and level, an’t like your grace.

STEPHANO

I thank thee for that jest. Here’s a garment for ’t: wit shall not go

unrewarded while I am King of this country. “Steal by line and level,”

is an excellent pass of pate. There’s another garment for ’t.

I thank you for that jest. Here’s a garment for ’t: wit will not go unrewarded while I am King of this country. “Steal by line and level,” is an excellent pass of pate. There’s another garment for ’t.

I thank you for that jest. Here’s a garment for ’t: wit will not go unrewarded while I am King of this country. “Steal by line and level,” is an excellent pass of pate. There’s another garment for ’t.

i thank thee for that jest. here’s a garment for ’t: wit shall not go unrewarded while i am king of this country. “steal

TRINCULO

Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest.

Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest.

Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest.

monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

I will have none on’t. We shall lose our time,

And all be turn’d to barnacles, or to apes

With foreheads villainous low.

I will have none on’t. We will lose our time, And all be turn’d to barnacles, or to apes With foreheads villainous low.

I will have none on’t. We will lose our time, And all be turn’d to barnacles, or to apes With foreheads villainous low.

i will have none on’t. we shall lose our time, and all be turn’d to barnacles, or to apes with foreheads villainous low.

STEPHANO

Monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead

of wine is, or I’ll turn you out of my kingdom. Go to, carry this.

Monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is, or I’ll turn you out of my kingdom. Go to, carry this.

Monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is, or I’ll turn you out of my kingdom. Go to, carry this.

monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is, or i’ll turn you out of my kingdom. g

TRINCULO

And this.

And this.

And this.

and this.

STEPHANO

Ay, and this.

A noise of hunters heard. Enter divers Spirits, in shape of dogs and

hounds, and hunt them about; Prospero and Ariel setting them on.

Ay, and this. A noise of hunters heard. Enter divers Spirits, in shape of dogs and hounds, and hunt them about; Prospero and Ariel setting them on.

Ay, and this. A noise of hunters heard. Enter divers Spirits, in shape of dogs and hounds, and hunt them about; Prospero and Ariel setting them on.

ay, and this. a noise of hunters heard. enter divers spirits, in shape of dogs and hounds, and hunt them about; prospero

PROSPERO

Hey, Mountain, hey!

Hey, Mountain, hey!

Hey, Mountain, hey!

hey, mountain, hey!

ARIEL

Silver! there it goes, Silver!

Silver! there it goes, Silver!

Silver! there it goes, Silver!

silver! there it goes, silver!

PROSPERO

Fury, Fury! There, Tyrant, there! hark, hark!

Fury, Fury! There, Tyrant, there! hark, hark!

Fury, Fury! There, Tyrant, there! hark, hark!

fury, fury! there, tyrant, there! hark, hark!

[_Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo are driven out._]
Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulsions; shorten up their sinews
With aged cramps, and more pinch-spotted make them
Than pard, or cat o’ mountain.
ARIEL

Hark, they roar.

Hark, they roar.

Hark, they roar.

hark, they roar.

PROSPERO ≋ verse

Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour

Lies at my mercy all mine enemies.

Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou

Shalt have the air at freedom. For a little

Follow, and do me service.

Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour Lies at my mercy all mine enemies. Shortly will all my labours end, and you Shalt have the air at freedom. For a little Follow, and do me service.

Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour Lies at my mercy all mine enemies. Shortly will all my labours end, and you Shalt have the air at freedom. For a little Follow, and do me service.

let them be hunted soundly. at this hour lies at my mercy all mine enemies. shortly shall all my labours end, and thou s

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The scene swings from celebration to the most famous speech in the play and then to slapstick punishment. The 'Our revels now are ended' speech arrives out of a moment of distraction — Prospero suddenly remembers Caliban's plot, the masque collapses, and what begins as an excuse to Ferdinand becomes something far larger: a meditation on impermanence and the dreamlike quality of everything. Then Ariel describes the drunken conspirators, Prospero prepares the spirit hounds, and Caliban watches his foolish companions steal gowns while the murder window closes. The tonal range is extraordinary.

If this happened today…

A tech founder has arranged an elaborate product launch for his daughter's engagement to a rival's son. The presentation is stunning. Then his phone buzzes — he'd forgotten that three disgruntled ex-employees are trying to break into his server room tonight. He freezes the whole event, gives an improvised speech about the nature of digital reality, then has security chase the intruders with guard dogs while the would-be saboteurs get distracted by the company's merchandise sample room.

Continue to 5.1 →